A CITY gangster allegedly slashed a pub landlord in a bloody ”straightener” in a busy city street.

A CITY gangster allegedly slashed a pub landlord in a bloody straightener in a busy city street.

Daniel Smith, who police said is linked to organised crime in Liverpool, slashed Ian Ungi, leaving him with gashes needing 72 stitches.

Also part of the group, which spilled out of Lark Lanes Low Bar was convicted heroin dealer Jason Fitzgibbon.

He was jailed for eight years at Birmingham crown court in 2000 for conspiracy to supply heroin.

Police said Mr Ungi, who recently took over the Old Bank Bar in Aigburth Road, stormed into Low just after midnight on Saturday. His brother, 36-year-old David Ungi, was gunned down and killed in 1995 and his nephew Michael was injured in a drive-by shooting in 2007.

After shaking hands with one of the bouncers Mr Ungi, 43, walked straight to the back room of the bar and confronted Smith.

The pair were thrown out of the bar by staff and a group followed them into the street.

They then watched as the two brawled outside Keiths Wine Bar also on Lark Lane.

A council meeting was told according to a confidential police source one of the men with Smith and Fitzgibbon then handed Smith a Stanley Knife.

Smith used the blade to cut Mr Ungi who fled to hospital. No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The ECHO can reveal details of the fight after they were made public at an emergency Liverpool City Council licensing review hearing. Merseyside Police called the meeting to plead with councillors to close Low which they refused to do.

Councillors also heard how, in an unrelated attack, one of Lows duty managers was punched in the face on June 3 by a man he was trying to throw out. He was also hit in the face by a flying glass.

Referring to Smith and Mr Ungis fight Sgt Peter Howell told the hearing: Ian Ungi entered the premises after midnight. He had an altercation inside the premises with Daniel Smith. Also present was Jason Fitzgibbon.

Both [Smith and Fitzgibbon] have significant criminal records and are considered to be active in relation to organised crime in the city. Both males appear to be with approximately four other males.

After the altercation inside the bar the group went outside. The group are then seen to walk over the road. This was out of view of the bars CCTV system. Intelligence from a confidential source has been received that Smith and Ungi had a fight.

During the fight one of the group handed Smith a Stanley Knife which he subsequently used to cut Ungi about his legs and back.

In CCTV footage Mr Ungi is clearly seen walking back towards Low with two large blood stains on the back of his white T-shirt. He then got into a cab and went to the Royal hospital.

When he was quizzed about the fight he refused to cooperate with police. One of the reasons Sgt Howell wanted Low closed was because its bouncers also said they would not help police.

He added: The door staff have been spoken to by police. They have stated that they do not wish to cooperate with police.

So why are door staff reluctant to get involved? Was it because of the reputation of the various nominals who were there that night or was it because the door staff themselves had been intimidated or threatened?

I would submit to this hearing that there is every possibility of an imminent revenge attack. Therefore we must take steps to prevent it.